Crime & Safety

Suspected Chesterfield Purse-Snatcher Nabbed in Detroit

David John Williams was arrested Monday night in Detroit by Troy police's Special Investigation Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit, Chesterfield Township police said Tuesday.

A 44-year-old man sought for a Chesterfield Township purse-snatching in late October was caught Monday night in Detroit, said Tuesday.

Troy Police Department's Special Investigation Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit arrested David John Williams, formerly of Roseville, Chesterfield Township Detective Sgt. Deron Myers said.

The arrest came on the heels of a purse-snatching Thursday in Troy, leading the city's police investigation units to fan out throughout the weekend and Monday in Detroit in search of Williams and his 1997 Dodge Intrepid, Myers said.

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“They were actively searching in Detroit," he said of Troy investigators. "They did an outstanding job."

Williams has been charged in an arrest warrant with unarmed robbery, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison upon conviction, and is scheduled for an arraignment at 11 a.m. Tuesday in in New Baltimore, Myers said.

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The suspect is a parole absconder with an extensive criminal history who was to be considered armed and dangerous. Chesterfield police have been working with other local departments because, they said, he is also suspected in similar purse-snatching incidents in other communities.

The warrant stems from a robbery in Chesterfield at approximately 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26. A 71-year-old Richmond woman was getting into her car in the Henry Ford Macomb Health Center at 30795 23 Mile when a man took her purse from her hands. The victim later identified Williams in a photo lineup, police said.

On Tuesday, Myers said there's a strong possibility the suspect was motivated to steal to buy narcotics and arresting him was a high priority for police.

"It was on the top of the list to get this guy into custody before somebody got hurt," he said.


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